New York, New York

Caution: Long blog post coming up. Image-heavy too. And I apologize in advance for my camera’s totally inaccurate time stamps.

1. Pre-Departure

Everywhere I look, I see authors with other artistic talents. They can paint, draw, sew, knit, quilt, garden, graphic design, compose, play instruments, and whatnot. I play casual games and have nothing to show for it. (Well, lots of good memories with the kidlets but His Hawtness and I debate on whether that constitute as quality time. I say yes. *g*)

But ever since the shea butter episode, I’ve developed an obsession with hand-making beauty products. Not for myself, but as promo items. For RWA Orlando I did bath bombs. Facial scrubs for New Jersey RWA’s conference and RT Los Angeles. In between I also made solid lotion bars as belated Christmas presents.

By the beginning of the year I’d already decided to make lip butters for RWA. I’d really, really hoped that by June I’d have a cover for the first book in my 2012 trilogy, but since the release is still 11 months out, no. All the same, my enthusiasm remained undimmed. I love giving away good swag. I love doing repetitive chores, especially fresh from deadlines.

My name appears a bit off center since I had to correct for the idiosyncracies of my printer.

And this is the bottom label:

And yes, those are the tentative titles and release dates for the trilogy. We are set on the first title, but the other two hadn’t quite finished the testing process yet.

I had a blast. Made 900 of them and took about 800 to NYC. They went really fast. And now I have to think what to do next year. 🙂

2) The conference

Even more fun and more exhausting than usual, since it is NYC.

I went to the Alexander McQueen exhibit, which is macabre and stunning. On my way back I passed this house on Fifth Avenue. I recognized it as the template I used for Camden’s New York townhouse in Private Arrangements. Like seeing an old friend.

This picture is from Random House’s offices, overlooking Central Park.

Le sigh.

And here’s my roomie Shellee, also known as one third of Ivy Adams, author of The International Kissing Club, before the New York Public Library. Some chicks are born to pose. So jealous.

The trouble with RWA? Not enough time. I didn’t get to see enough of Meredith, of Kristan Higgins, or Julie James, of…The list goes on and on. I didn’t even get to see enough of my roommates!

But still it was a good one, I have to say.

HIS AT NIGHT won the RITA® for Best Historical Romance. It was such an incredibly tight category that I didn’t even bother prepare notes for a speech. The thrill was all the sweeter as His Hawtness flew in that afternoon to be with me. He’d been kicking himself for missing the RITA moment in Orlando. But I wasn’t so sure that it would be a good idea for him to come, since the chances of repeating was next to nil. But woot, he got his way and it was awesome.

Look at those spikes. So that’s how a Manhattan townhouse protects itself from cat burglars.

I wish my garbage can was half so pretty.

LOL.

And of course, this.

I would not have gone had His Hawtness not wanted to see it. The Statue of Liberty is an over-familiar sight and I usually stay away from long lines crowded places. Besides, I stepped onto American soil not via New York but San Francisco, five thousand miles to the West and across a different ocean.

But I’m so glad we went. The moment Lady Liberty came into view, I had tears in my eyes. Unlike many immigrants into the country, I did not come to the United States to escape persecution or a life of hardship. I had a happy, safe childhood in China, surrounded by friends and a tightly knit neighborhood community.

But this is where I have made my home. This is where I vote in every election, big or small. This is the birthplace of my children. And I am part of the fabric of American life.

3) Foreign Covers

You didn’t think I was going to forget them, did you?

First up, Turkish Private Arrangements. I am so often a NYT bestseller overseas. Why not here too? 🙂

Google Translator tells me the title means Signed with Marriage. I can totally get behind it.

Spanish paperback edition of Delicious. I squeal every time there is food on a Delicious cover.

Italian Delicious. Love the pearls.

Russian Not Quite a Husband. Retitled Can Not Forget. Be still my heart, is that a streak of white I see in her hair?

And last, but definitely one that gave me a whole day of lols, German Not Quite a Husband, retitled Dangerous Passions.

When I saw the image this morning I immediately did a double take. Is it…? Yes it is. The stepback from Joanna Bourne’s The Spymaster’s Lady! I don’t know why but I’m still giggling.

(By the way, I had the great pleasure of sitting next to Jo at the RITAs, and more adorable and witty company I could not have hoped for.)

Congrats Sherry on your second Rita award. I didn’t have any doubts that you would win many of these from the first moment I started reading Private Arrangements (still my favorite of all time, by the way).
Can’t wait for the trilogy in 2012!

Congratulations, Sherry! I was following SBTB Sarah and DA Jane’s twitter feeds online that Friday night. My husband was startled when I gave a little shriek of joy when I saw you’d repeated. I loved His at Night, so was very happy for you!

(I keep reading about how awesome your acceptance speech was. Sounds like it was extemporaneous since you mention you hadn’t prepped, but did someone take a video? It would be great to watch! Plus your dress looks fabulous! :))

Lovely RWA recap, Sherry! How awesome that your husband was with you for your RITA win! Many, many congratulations.

Thanks for the peek at your upcoming titles and pub dates. Woot! Now the countdown can begin. The lip balm tins look fantastic–may I ask, how’d you fill them so neatly without glopping lip goop everywhere? (Maybe there’s an obvious answer, but I am seriously craft-impaired.)

Congratulations again on your RITA win. Like Peggy, I keep reading that your speech was funny and also brought tears to everyone’s eyes. The blogs said you acknowledged your husband in a very sweet way. Do you remember what you said or is it all a blank?

The pictures are great. It sounds like you were able to do quite a bit of sightseeing along with your professional duties.

Finally, is there any update about your contemporary? Last I heard, wasn’t your editor or agent looking it over?

And Amber, good gracious, there is no fading to black on this one. (My agent refers to this one as my erotic contemporary–but it’s not, just quite hot.) When I said Kristan Higgins, I just meant maybe some more family involvement, rather than focusing exclusively on the H/H.

900 lip balms? I’ve never done 900 of anything, ever–impressive! Probably by the time I make it out to an event you’ll be giving away hand-carved gourds or embroidered rugs so I’ll look forward to that 😉

Congrats again on the rita win–and btw–I discovered little individual packets of instant coffee at the store so now I’m all set for baking. I didn’t know it came that way-yea! So now your homemade–ness is spreading even more. 🙂

And please please if you, keep the title Reforming the Virgin – it´s an awesome and memorable title. It´s intriguing. Looking forward to October 2012 already for a book whose title might not even be that one, just based on that title!

Ouch. Did your agent do anything to soften the blow, such as to say that she at least liked the characters names (LOL) or was it thumbs down on everything? I like SEP books too, but it sounds like neither Meredith nor your agent saw a homage to SEP in the manuscript.

Is there a full-length picture of your Rita gown anywhere? It looks stunning.

How lovely that your husband got to see you win. Ever since I read about him clearing out of the house with the kids for 2 weeks when you needed to do a crash rewrite (of NQAH, I think?), he’s kinda been my hero.

Well, in the book itself, there’s really just one major conflict, the stakes just go up in the second half.

For the query, I managed to write a version that included the final stakes/conflict, but then I didn’t like it. It felt like it revealed too much, like there was no point in reading the book, you know?

I’ve written yet another one now that I’m rather happy with. Though I’m not sure I trust my own judgement on queries–they feel like very different beasts compared to novels.

I guess I’ll find out when I send it out there. If no one even requests pages, the query probably sucks. 🙂

They are not big at all, in fact, most of them are tiny, right about an inch across and 3/4 inch or so thick–inside I took about 250 of them with me (150 for Courtney Milan and 100 from me for the booksellers) and had the rest in my check-in luggage.

They were maybe 20 lbs altogether and took up a fair amount of room–which was kinda great, cuz when I’d given all of them away, I had space to put the big RITA box in the luggage. 🙂

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About Sherry

Sherry's greatest happiness as a writer is that her mother does not read books. Ah, the sweet freedom.

"Bottom line: this is the best Historical of 2012. If you read one Historical this entire year, even if you eschewed Historical in favor of another genre, you have to read Tempting the Bride." — The Season

Bride of Larkspear

Midnight Scandals

Ravishing the Heiress

"I knew by the end of chapter one, that this book would be one I would remember for a long time. In just that first chapter a well of emotion swelled up and closed the passage of my throat such that each subsequent page read triggered feeling."
— Dear Author

"Millie and Fitz’s marriage is one of the truest, most romantic, and most uplifting depictions I’ve read in a long, long time. And what can I say – Sherry Thomas rocks my world." —All About Romance

"I try to write balanced reviews, but sometimes I love a book so much that I feel as if I have to write with the brakes on to keep from overwhelming readers with my enthusiasm. That’s the way I felt writing this review. I highly recommend this book. And if I could say that with bands playing and flags flying to get your attention, I would." — The Romance Dish

"Soul-searing, heartrending, and intensely romantic, this late Victorian historical takes the classic marriage-of-convenience theme to a refreshing new level." —Library Journal Starred Review

His at Night

"I find myself saying “OMG, I can’t believe how good this is” with one part of my brain while the rest of it is saying “shut up and keep reading.” Needless to say,
this is an A read for me." — Dear Author

"Certainly worth the anticipation and buzz it's receiving. The hero and heroine are both interesting, the conflict is compelling and intriguing, and the writing itself is fabulous. It's an all around win." —All About Romance

"This is a Very Good and Compelling Book and I had the hardest time putting it down, even in the midst of a week long party." — Ramblings on Romance

"Thomas doesn't just enhance the genre, she enriches it with her intelligent characters, brilliant dialogue, innovative plot twists and amazing love stories. Reading her novels is a rare treat—an insight into the hearts and minds of all who dream." —Romantic Times Top Pick

Not Quite a Husband

"A beautifully written, deeply moving story of romantic renewal and moral repair set against the backdrop of a heartstopping journey across northwest India." — Racy Romance Reviews

"Thomas, who has made a name for herself with her exquisite use of language, deftly switches between past and present in this lyrically written, emotionally captivating story graced by beautifully developed, realistically flawed characters, clear motivation, and descriptions that make late Victorian India spring to life." — Library Journal

"Not Quite a Husband has everything I want from a romance (well, except a map ...): Delightful but flawed characters I love and can identify with, luscious prose, an interesting setting, and a romance that touches my heart. I can't recommend it enough, and am looking forward very much to Sherry Thomas's next book." — All About Romance Desert Isle Keeper Review

"Thomas has quickly become a fan favorite thanks to her wonderful storytelling and her unique ability to get into her characters' minds and our hearts." —Romantic Times Top Pick

"Not Quite a Husband is a perfect example of intense, compelling storytelling and Sherry Thomas is truly a gifted writer who kept me engaged in a story that was mesmerizing from start to finish." — Realms on Our Bookshelves

Private Arrangements

"So if you've worried (as I have) about the future of historical romance, just remember two words: Sherry Thomas. Readers, don't miss this one. It's a keeper and be very thankful that historical romance has a new, shining star." —TheRomanceReader.com

That Scandalous Summer

Your Wicked Heart

At Your Pleasure

"The unusual setting and fascinating historical backdrop immediately set Duran's latest novel apart; then she adds in-depth characterization, intrigue and passion, drawing readers straight into her unforgettable romance in texture and color, detailed and absorbing, here is a novel to sink your teeth into." —RT Book Reviews Top Pick

"At Your Pleasure is another tale of lovers separated — by politics and religion this time — but here the plot works beautifully, making the latest Meredith Duran a real treat." —All About Romance

"Meredith Duran ingeniously blends a fictitious romance into this turbulent period in English history, and the result is an extraordinary story not easily forgotten." —Single Titles

"This is not an easy story but it is a wonderful one. I am sucker for a romance novel that leaves the end uncertain until very late in the story. I also love good history. Duran accomplishes both in a most
satisfying way. GRADE: A-" —Smart Bitches Trashy Books

"Meredith Duran makes At Your Pleasure memorable with her beautiful prose. This story features a fabulous romance and an outstanding plot that amps up the drama. At Your Pleasure is historical writing at its finest." —Joyfully Reviewed

A Lady’s Lesson in Scandal

"The fascinating and compelling characters, the vivid imagery and dynamic prose, the wonderful romance — it was all I can ask of a romance. Meredith Duran just keeps getting better and better." —All About Romance Desert Isle Keeper Review

"Well-developed lead characters and a perceptive portrayal of a poor woman's reaction to the lush lifestyle of the nobility highlight a top-notch romance...." —Publishers Weekly

"Watching Simon and Nell being transformed by the wonder of love touched me in the deepest corners of my heart and reminded me of how beautifully Meredith Duran creates an emotionally intense love story." —The Romance Dish

Wicked Becomes You

"Meredith Duran has thrown down the gauntlet: Wicked Becomes You is the book to beat for best historical romance this year...Sexy, inventive, and riveting, it's a book that's hard to put down and a joy to read." —All About Romance

"Witty, often hilarious, sensuous, and breathlessly paced, Duran's engaging, mystery-enhanced escapade sweeps its charmingly matched protagonists across the continent, in and out of danger, and eventually into each other's arms." —Library Journal

"Duran fulfills readers; needs for romantic stories,original characters, and delightful plotlines. There's so much fun tobe had in her latest tale featuring a good girl who wants to be bad and the bad boy who wants her; it's charming and deliciously sensual from beginning to end." —Romantic Times TOP PICK!

Written on Your Skin

"Easily one of the best books I’ve read in a long while…Run, not walk to [the] nearest bookstore and pick up a copy of Written on Your Skin. My grade (one I’ve managed to talk myself into in the course of writing this review): A+." —Dear Author

"Elegant prose and a deeply satisfying romance, the perfect combination. This is another fantastic book by Meredith Duran. I am now officially a fan girl." —Book Smugglers

"Dark, poignant and all consuming…a must read for 2009 and perhaps one of the best historicals of this decade." —Babbling about Books

"Written on Your Skin is absolutely everything a great historical romance should be. I was completely entranced from the very first page." —Romance Junkies

Bound by Your Touch

"Technically masterful as well as being a great love
story. I think it’s a book in which I would find new layers and meaning each time I read it." —Dear Author

"Everything here - characters, plotting, love story - is just so well put together and enjoyable that I have to give it my enthusiastic recommendation; there's no question. If you have been wallowing in romance novel ennui, go out and pick this one up." — All About Romance Desert Isle Keeper Review

The Duke of Shadows

"I keep trying to think of how to express the superlatives that went through my mind reading it… We speak of the Golden Age of Romance, of Putneys and Gaffneys and Ivorys as if it’s something we’ll never see again. Your book makes me think we’re wrong." —Jan, Dearauthor.com

"It has been many years since a novel has touched me and moved me to tears the way The Duke of Shadows did… This is without a doubt the best historical romance I have read this year -- and I’ll go so far as to say that it’s the best one I’ve read in the last five years." —Romance Reviews Today

"Duran's fascinating, emotionally intense first novel will certainly captivate those seeking a unique setting and unconventional characters. With their strong sense of honor and passionate beliefs, her characters leap from the pages." —Romantic Times, 4.5 stars

"The Duke of Shadows is an excellent debut from an author who is going to leap right onto many “must-buy” lists. With its combination of engrossing story and emotion-packed romance, this is a guaranteed page-turner and a book to savor." —The Romance Reader